911 employee faces charges for meth lab
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Lawmen say the alleged meth trafficker, Terry Thompson, had been doing brisk business, making and selling his product to several people over a period of months out of his home located across the street from Earleyville Church of Christ. They also say his wife, Brenda Thompson, a longtime employee of E-911, knew about his illegal enterprise, leveling charges against her as well.
“There were reports of a lot of traffic coming and going from here,” said Sheriff Jackie Matheny. “This was quite an elaborate set up. He even had a surveillance system hooked up outside the building so he could see anyone who was approaching.”
Mr. Thompson is charged with possession and manufacture of meth along with maintaining a dwelling for the manufacture of drugs. Mrs. Thompson faces charges of facilitation of manufacture of meth and maintaining a dwelling for the manufacture of drugs. Mrs. Thompson has also been placed on administrative leave from 911.
Matheny said officers had conducted extensive surveillance on the house and Mr. Thompson for an extended period after discovering his involvement in the meth trafficking business. The operation came to an end Friday afternoon when they obtained a search warrant and raided his home.
The lab components were found in the outbuilding which was guarded by the surveillance system located about 10 feet from the back door of the house. Most of the items were pulled from a root cellar located inside the outbuilding. Members of the Southeast Tennessee Methampheatmine Task Force and local officers spent most of the rainy Friday night removing the hazardous chemicals for disposal, documenting evidence and ripping down the surveillance system from the building.
Nearby residents were taken back by the meth lab located in their quiet neighborhood, but stopped short of being surprised.
“The stuff is everywhere,” said one nearby resident as she checked her mailbox and glanced over to the yard full of law enforcement vehicles. “I guess you never know when you’re living right next to one. It’s pretty scary really.”
According to Matheny, the case will likely be turned over to federal prosecutors and taken before a federal grand jury. Sentences usually run much longer in meth cases on the federal level. Also, adding to Mr. Thompson’s problems was that lawmen allegedly found a large amount of meth on his person when he was taken into custody.
“This was probably the most finished product I’ve ever seen,” said District Attorney General Dale Potter of the plastic bag full of meth pulled from Mr. Thompson’s pockets. “He was doing a very large-volume business and I think this, along with the recent limits on the sale of items needed to make the drug, will have quite an impact on manufacturing here.”
Mr. Thompson remains held at Warren County Jail under $600,000 bond while he wife was expected to make her bond Saturday. It is not known if federal charges will also be pressed against Mrs. Thompson.